Thursday, February 28, 2008

Final Reggie McNeal Post?

This is probably it for Reggie McNeal's book The Present Future. Good stuff, for sure, for sure.

New Reality Number Five: The Shift from Planning to Preparation

Wrong Question: How Do We Plan for the Future?

Typical approaches to the future involve prediction and planning.This works o.k. in a world of continuity, it doesn’t work in a rapidly evolving society.The better (and biblical) approach to the future involves prayer and preparation, not prediction and planning.

Tough Question: How Do We Prepare for the Future?

Spiritual preparation has the goal of getting God’s people in partnership with him in his redemptive mission in the world.

McNeal lists five elements of a spiritual preparation architecture:

1)Vision – which informs your decision making; engenders commitment and creates meaning.How to get started in Visioning Process?Ask your people what they would like to see God do in their lives and in the lives of the church and in the community.Look at what is going on around you.Talk with your leaders

2)Values – We need to strengthen values that support kingdom growth.First we need to create venues where people can practice the core values we espouse.The staff needs to take the lead.

3)Results – keep score.

4)Strengths – your best shot at making your best contribution is for you to get better at what you are already good at.

5)Learning – church leaders must go to “school” all the time.Go where things are happening; get outside the box; don’t pursue privatized learning; develop a chief learning officer; secure a learning coach for yourself.